General Questions about Ubiquinol
What is ubiquinol?
There are two main forms of the fat-soluble nutrient called coenzyme Q10 in the human body—ubiquinone and ubiquinol. Ubiquinol is the more bioavailable form of CoQ10 and, for this reason, is a much more powerful antioxidant than ubiquinone. Ubiquinol is found throughout the body and supports overall health. The two primary benefits of ubiquinol are that it supports cellular energy production in the mitochondria (ATP synthesis) and provides antioxidant defense.
What health benefits does ubiquinol provide?
Ubiquinol is unique in that it is one of the only fat-soluble antioxidants that the human body is able to make on its own. This characteristic allows ubiquinol to function as an antioxidant throughout the entire human body including the mitochondria, cell membranes, and lipoproteins (cholesterol). In addition to playing a vital role in the creation of cellular energy (adenosine triphosphate or ATP), ubiquinol’s unique antioxidant properties also support healthy aging by guarding against excess free radical formation or oxidative stress. Overall, ubiquinol supports cellular energy, cardiovascular function, and healthy aging*.
Which is better—ubiquinone CoQ10 or ubiquinol CoQ10?
The body produces and uses CoQ10 in the CoQ10 form (ubiquinone), but also converts it to Ubiquinol on an as-needed basis. The Ubiquinol form is more bioavailable because it is the reduced form of CoQ10 and the body does not have to further break it down prior to use. In young and healthy individuals, the body is thought to convert CoQ10 efficiently to Ubiquinol as needed, so supplementing with CoQ10 is sufficient to maintain energy levels and healthy heart function.
However, for individuals who have higher energy needs (e.g. athletes) and/or those whose body's ability to convert CoQ10 to Ubiquinol is compromised due to age, poor health, or other lifestyle factors, Ubiquinol is considered to be a more reliable, quicker, and efficient way to quickly restore CoQ10 levels in the body. As a matter of principle and in the interest of your health and safety, we encourage you to consult with a licensed healthcare provider prior to supplementation to determine what form of CoQ10, if any, is most appropriate for your individual needs.
What are the risk factors for a CoQ10 deficiency?
CoQ10 deficiency is considered to be rare in healthy individuals. However, CoQ10 production in the body is known to decline with age and, for this reason, supplementation is sometimes recommended in older individuals to support cellular energy, heart function, and healthy aging.
Mitochondrial disorders caused by specific gene mutations can also impact CoQ10 synthesis in the body. Some cholesterol lowering drugs may potentially lower CoQ10 levels by inhibiting an enzyme (HMG-coenzyme A reductase) that supports both cholesterol and CoQ10 synthesis. Symptoms that may result from a deficiency in CoQ10 include lethargy, muscle cramps/discomfort, and compromised aerobic function in muscles. If concerned that you may be at risk for a CoQ10 deficiency, please work with a healthcare professional to determine what dietary or supplemental changes/additions may be necessary to support your health goals.
Are there any food sources of ubiquinol?
Ubiquinol can be found in foods such as chicken, oily fish, peanuts, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, avocados, and olive oil. However, it is important to note that the amount of ubiquinol these foods contain is quite small and cooking or processing of food may degrade ubiquinol, making it less absorbable or effective.
What are some factors to consider when choosing a ubiquinol supplement?
Depending on your reason(s) for supplementing with ubiquinol and your personal preferences, it may be helpful to consider one or more of the following factors so you can be assured you are making the purchasing decision that is right for you—
- Is it made with a clinically proven form of ubiquinol (e.g. Kaneka®)?
- Is the amount of ubiquinol provided per serving supported by science?
- Is it third-party tested for identity, potency & purity?
- Is a lot-specific Certificate of Analysis available?
- Does it contain GMOs?
- Does it include chemical additives or preservatives?
Can ubiquinol supplements be taken with OTC or prescription medications?
Ubiquinol may interfere with oral anticoagulants or blood thinning medications. If you are taking or planning to take an OTC or prescription medication or planning a medical procedure, please consult a licensed pharmacist or your healthcare provider before beginning supplementation to minimize risk of side effects associated with potential supplement-drug interactions.
Is there an established upper toxicity limit for ubiquinol?
Currently, there is no established upper toxicity limit established since significant adverse effects from oral CoQ10 supplementation have not been reported, even when taken in high amounts. CoQ10 is generally considered to be a safe nutrient. However, gastrointestinal symptoms and abdominal discomfort have been experienced in those taking high amounts of CoQ10. For this reason, it is often recommended to take CoQ10 in divided doses (e.g. 100 milligrams per dose) to minimize the risk of digestive upset. (Source) As a matter of principle and in the interest of your health and safety, we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider prior to supplementation to determine what use, if any, is best for your individual needs.
Still have questions?
- For general information about CoQ10, check out the resources below—
- For specific guidance on the suitability of CoQ10/Ubiquinol to support your particular health goals, please talk to your healthcare provider.
Questions about Ubiquinol Gold
How does Ubiquinol Gold compare with other Ubiquinol supplements?
Because no two products containing Ubiquinol are exactly alike, comparisons across Ubiquinol products by different brands isn’t always practical or useful. We have provided below the key highlights of our Ubiquinol Gold product so consumers have the information they need to make the purchasing decision that’s right for them.
- Ubiquinol Gold is made using the clinically proven ubiquinol from Kaneka®
- Each 1 soft gel serving of Ubiquinol Gold provides 100 mg of Ubiquinol
- Ubiquinol Gold is independently verified to meet identity, potency, and purity specifications
- Ubiquinol Gold is encapsulated in bovine gelatin soft gels for better protection from oxidation
- Ubiquinol Gold is free of artificial colorants (e.g. titanium dioxide)
- Ubiquinol Gold is free of chemical additives
What is the best time of day to take Ubiquinol Gold?
Ubiquinol can typically be taken at any time of the day. Because ubiquinol is a fat-soluble nutrient, taking it with food (that includes some fat) may optimize its absorption. If you take more than one serving of Ubiquinol Gold each day, consider taking them at separate times. Given that ubiquinol can be mildly energizing, we encourage you to avoid taking it in the evening hours, especially if you have trouble sleeping. As a matter of principle and in the interest of your health and safety, we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider prior to supplementation to determine what use, if any, is best for your individual needs.
Can I take more than what is suggested on the label? What amount of ubiquinol should I take?
Because we are not a licensed healthcare provider, we regret we cannot make any recommendations with regard to taking a dosage higher than what is suggested on the product label. The dosing range provided in the suggested use on the label (100 mg to 200 mg per day) is based on amounts used in clinical investigations featuring the clinically-proven ubiquinol ingredient. According to Kaneka, the world's premier supplier of the most researched forms of CoQ10, "the recommended daily use of Ubiquinol varies based on each individual’s needs. However, those who are older or have health concerns may want to start supplementing with 200 mg of Ubiquinol CoQ10 per day. After about two weeks, 100 mg per day is thought to be a good maintenance dose.” (Source) Please consult your healthcare provider prior to supplementation to determine what use, if any, is best for your individual needs.
How does NutriGold ensure the purity of the ingredients used in its Ubiquinol Gold product?
At NutriGold, consumer safety is our top priority, which is one reason we verify the purity and overall quality of raw materials as well as the finished products themselves. Depending on the complexity of the testing involved, including determining what needs to be tested, what methods are fit-for-purpose, and which lab is most qualified to perform the testing, we sometimes have results from as many as 4 or 5 different independent, ISO-accredited labs for each product. We take these results from third-party labs and summarize them in lot-specific Certificates of Analysis that are freely available in the spirit of authentic transparency on the product pages on our website so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions.
What assurance can you provide that the amount of ubiquinol listed on the label is actually in the product?
All of our products are verified by independent third-party labs to meet identity, purity, and potency label claims. We take results from third-party labs and summarize them in lot-specific Certificates of Analysis (C of A) that are freely available in the spirit of authentic transparency on the product pages on our website so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions. The C of A provides assurance that the claims made on the label accurately reflect the contents of the product inside the bottle. If interested, more information on our our commitment to independent, third party quality testing can be found at this link - https://nutrigold.com/pages/accountability
Can I break apart the softgel and add the contents to liquid/food to consume?
Ubiquinol is an extremely unstable ingredient that can quickly oxidize and degrade when exposed to air. This can reduce its overall bioavailability and effectiveness. So, we recommend taking the product as formulated (soft gel).
Is Ubiquinol Gold suitable for children (under 18 years of age)?
Ubiquinol Gold is formulated for individuals over 18 years. Because children are considered a vulnerable population, we regret we cannot make any recommendations regarding the use of our products by or for children under the age of 18. We ask that you talk to your pediatrician or family practitioner about whether or not Ubiquinol Gold is suitable and safe for your child’s particular healthcare needs prior to supplementation.
